Leopard Lily - The Natural Skin & Beauty Place

Substance

Most commonly used in….

Adverse Effects

Acetone

nail polish remover, some glues, art products, paint removers & strippers

Powerful skin & eye irritant. Causes adverse effects on the respiratory and nervous system. Neurotoxic.

Allethrin

pest control & flea-control products

Highly toxic. Eye & skin irritant. Neurotoxic, damaging to the immune system

Ammonium hydroxide

air fresheners

eye irritant

Butylated hydroxianisole (BHA)/Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)

In lipsticks, eyeliner, foamy shaving cream, baby oil and baby lotion

Causes contact dermatitis and suspected to be a carcinogen. Studies showed BHA & BHT cause abnormalities in unborn babies, slows growth rate, causes weight loss, damage to the liver, baldness, and metabolic stress. Both act as a synthetic oestrogen or xeno-oestrogen. Can corrode metal.

carbaryl

pest control & flea control products

Linked to birth defects. Eye & skin irritant. Allergenic, sensitizer, highly neurotoxic with symptoms that include more saliva being produced, coughing and difficulty in breathing.

Nitrosamines: DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine)

One of the most commonly used chemicals in cosmetics. Often under the names Cocamide DEA or MEA, Lauramide DEA etc. Also present in detergents, liquid soaps, polishers, cutting oils, lubricating liquids, as a solvent for numerous drugs & household cleaning products.

Mild skin & severe eye irritant. Can react with nitrites to form highly potent carcinogenic nitrosamines. Nitrosamines have been shown to readily penetrate the skin. NDELA (a nitrosamine) was found in 27 of the 29 products tested in 2 surveys in 1991. Repeated skin applications of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancers.

Formaldehyde

Included in numerous types and brands of cosmetics - shampoos, mascara, creams (especially anti-aging), face makeup, anti-dandruff shampoos, bubble baths, nail products & some deodorants. One of the chemicals used to make fabrics wrinkle free. Used in car cleaners & a wide range of consumer items , especially paints & related products. Slowly released from furniture & building products (in particular particle board & laminated wood)

The most insidious toxin in homes and offices, particularly new ones. Known to cause eye, nose & throat irritation, coughing, asthma attacks, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, nose bleeds, headaches & dizziness. It is a strong skin irritant and sensitiser & a suspected human carcinogen (known rodent carcinogen). It is known to cause serious weakening of the immune system. It is released through the breakdown of many chemicals, including paints.

Lanolin

Moisturisers, baby creams

Lanolin tends to be contaminated with pesticides due to frequent sheep bathing in chemicals to control parasites & diseases. Diazanon, a neurotoxic organophosphate pesticide, was found in 21 of the 25 samples analysed where a total of 16 pesticides were found. It is advised to not be used by breast feeding mothers due to the high concentrations of chemical residues found in this product.

Mineral oil, petrolatum, parrafin wax/oil, liquidum paraffinum

Baby oil, skin moisturisers

This is a petroleum by-product of crude petrol or oil. It inhibits the skin’s ability to breathe and absorb natural moisture thereby disrupts the skin’s natural immune barrier. It also impedes the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins via the pores, thus causing or increasing acne and other skin disorders. Slows down the skin’s natural functions and normal cell development and cause premature skin ageing. Mineral oil derivative can be contaminated with cancer-causing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Parabens (methyl, propyl)

Preservatives used in wide range of cosmetics & other household products

Allergenic, skin and eye irritant

Polyethylene glycol (PEG)

Oven cleaners, face cleansers

Contributes to destruction of the natural moisture barrier and nutrition in the skin, leaving the immune system vulnerable and causing signs of premature ageing. Potentially carcinogenic.

Propylene glycol (PG) (1,2- Propanedial)

Found in most types of make-up, hair products, lotions, after shaves, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpastes. The active ingredient in antifreeze fluid. PG used in industry or in personal care products is the same.

A petroleum derivative. Penetrates the skin and can weaken the protein & cellular structure. The MSDS warns against skin contact due to systemic damage such as brain, liver and kidney abnormalities. Is strong enough to remove barnacles. Eye, throat, respiratory & skin irritant. Trials have shown it to be an animal carcinogen and teratogen, so the EPA recommends protective clothing.

Petroleum distillates

Used in a wide range of household products including heavy-duty cleaners, laundry stain removers, pesticides, flea-control & car waxes

May contain traces of benzene, a carcinogen. Eye, skin & respiratory irritant. Can cause conjunctivitis & dermatitis. Mild to significant neurotoxic effects. Is highly flammable.

Polyvinyl pyrrolodene (PVP) Copolymer

Hair sprays, makeup, shampoos & creams

Petroleum-derivative. Suspected human teratogen & carcinogen.

Quaternary ammonium compounds

Cleaners & fabric softeners, aerosol deodorants, aftershave lotions, anti-dandruff shampoos, hair colourings, mouthwashes, hand creams, shampoos & much more

Eye & skin irritants. Concentrations as low as 0.1 percent are irritating to the eye & mucous membrane. Can be fatal if ingested.

Talc (powder)

Home & garden pesticides, talcum & baby powders

Carcinogenic when inhaled. May contain traces of asbestos.

Tetrasodium EDTA

Bathroom cleaners, many skin care products & cosmetics

Eye irritant

Triclosan (2,4,4 Trichloro-2- Hydroxdiphenylether)

Toothpaste , hand gels

Moderately toxic by ingestion. Can be contaminated by dioxins & dibenzofurans which are highly toxic to humans.

Urea

Some skin products, laundry stain removers

Skin irritant, allergenic.